The 2025 Digital Media and Developing Minds International Scientific Congress is an interdisciplinary convening that will bring together researchers, clinicians, educators, government agency representatives, and others with expertise in child development, psychology, psychiatry, neuroscience, pediatrics, communications, social work, public health, education, human-computer interaction and more to explore how digital media use impacts the social, psychological, cognitive, behavioral, and physical development of children and adolescents.
This four-day conference will be held at the Westin Downtown, 999 9th Street, NW, Washington, D.C. and will feature a variety of events, including featured keynotes, interdisciplinary panel discussions, new research presentations, flash talks, a Tools and Methodologies Exposition, poster sessions, and networking opportunities.
Building on the momentum of our sold out Congress in 2023 and the Institute’s two previous convenings, the 2025 Congress is sure to be a can’t miss event!
Location and Housing
The 2025 Digital Media and Developing Minds International Scientific Congress will take place at the Westin DC Downtown, in the heart of the city. A block of rooms is available for conference attendees at a discounted rate until June 20, 2025.
The Westin DC Downtown
999 9th Street, NW, Washington, DC, 20001
Please Note: There are two Westin hotels in the Washington, DC, area. The 2025 International Scientific Congress will take place at The Westin DC Downtown, located at 999 9th Street NW, Washington, DC, 20001. Kindly ensure you arrive at the correct location.
Please see the FAQ page for additional information and directions.
Congress Planning Committee
The 2025 Congress was made possible by the guidance of Children and Screens’ founder and members of the Institute’s National Scientific Advisory Board. Their combined expertise helped shape the Congress’s programming to best reflect the event’s goal of bringing together interdisciplinary experts to explore how digital media use impacts the social, psychological, cognitive, behavioral, and physical development of children and adolescents.
- Dimitri Christakis, MD, MPH
Seattle Children’s Hospital, University of Washington, JAMA Pediatrics, Special Olympics, Children and Screens: Institute of Digital Media and Child Development - Lauren Hale, PhD
Stony Brook University - Pam Hurst-Della Pietra, DO
Children and Screens: Institute of Digital Media and Child Development, Stony Brook University - Heather Kirkorian, PhD
University of Wisconsin-Madison - Marc Potenza, MD, PhD
Yale School of Medicine - Stephanie Reich, PhD
University of California, Irvine - Desmond Upton Patton, PhD
University of Pennsylvania - Ellen Wartella, PhD
Northwestern University - Paul Weigle, MD
Hartford Hospital, American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
